12 things you should know about prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men today. The same can have limited and silent signs and symptoms resulting in late detection, diagnosis, and treatment. The best is to know your risk and facilitate tests to aid timely detection and management. Prostate Cancer’s risk increases with age and it can be aggressive if left untreated.

• What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is the disease of the prostate gland of the male.

• What is the prostate gland and what function does it play?

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that is situated inside a man’s body between his bladder and rectum. The prostate gland takes cells that make the seminal fluid that nourishes and carries sperm.

• What are some typical symptoms?

They involved blood in a man’s urine or semen problems with urinary function including weak urine flow; and difficulty with starting or holding back urination…

• Does a high PSA blood test or lump on my prostate mean I have prostate cancer?

 All it means is that there is a chance that the same can be prostate cancer. A biopsy is required before you can determine that cancer is present.

• Should I get a biopsy if I have an abnormal PSA reading or a lump in my prostate?

That depends on the case. Until recently the automatic next step was for your doctor to order a biopsy.

• What happens during a prostate cancer biopsy?

The doctor places an ultrasound probe into the rectum which provides a photo of the prostate.

• Do biopsies pose any health risks?

Among the risks is blood infection because the needle must pass goes the rectum.

• What if my biopsy results in a cancer diagnosis?

Consultant doctor will next consider stage and grade of the tumor. The stage of a prostate tumor suggests whether it is ok and if the prostate cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

• Do the stage and grade of a prostate tumor affect treatment decisions?

Yes. They have a  lot of implications. The size, location and the grade of cancer decide the treatment modality for cancer.

• What are the treatment options?

Three main options: active surveillance, surgery, and radiation.

• What does prostate cancer surgery involve?

Today, prostate surgery basically involves removal of the entire prostate gland.

• What does radiation treatment involve?

Doctors often recommend external beam radiation for early stage, localized prostate cancer